Scoop Dreams: Taking Shape

The Gordon Square sundae ($7.50) at Sweet Moses Soda Fountain & Treat Shop isn't just a catchy name. The intersection of sweet flavors and contrasting textures starts with the throwback shop's house-made bananas Foster ice cream — made with bananas, cinnamon caramel and Myers's Original Dark Rum — and is inspired by Gordon Square Arts District's creative charm. "Since we're an old soda shop, we can't carry 31 flavors," says owner Jeff Moreau. "We wanted to create a unique flavor that appealed to a lot of people, much like Gordon Square." Two house-made triangular brownies form the base within a goblet-shaped glass dish. Moreau pumps in caramel and hot fudge made from scratch in a copper kettle before adding three scoops of bananas Foster ice cream. "We use about 10 bananas per gallon, so the ice cream is rich and dense," he says. That's followed with another drizzle of caramel and hot fudge before nestling another wedge-shaped brownie atop the ice cream. It's then finished with whipped cream, a cherry and a pretzel dangling from the inserted spoon. "When we first created the sundae, we used a square brownie at the bottom of the dish, but it didn't fit, so we cut it into triangles," he says. "There's nothing square about it anymore." 6800 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, 216-651-2202, sweetmosestreats.com

S'mores may have sparked the idea for including crushed graham crackers in this rich dessert, but Sue Cibik credits her husband and co-owner, Jim, for amping things up with a whole crispy, butter-fried banana and creamy house-made vanilla custard. 8295 Washington St., Chagrin Falls, 440-543-7382

Grasshopper Sundae, $4

Falls Ice Cream

The shop's employees regularly experiment with different ingredients during breaks, and one day came up with this dessert of mint chocolate chip ice cream, chocolate syrup and crushed mint cookies. 8094 Columbia Road, Olmsted Falls, 440-427-9040, grandpacificjunction.com

After whipping this up at home, owners Kathy and Mark Foster decided to serve the white cake, strawberry topping and vanilla ice cream sundae in their shop. When in season, they use local strawberries. 466 Cleveland Ave., Amherst, 440-984-2663, facebook.com/thehasteetastee